Today’s gospel gives us one of the most human and hopeful encounters in the entire bible: the meeting of Jesus and Zacchaeus. It is a story full of movement, a man climbs up, Jesus looks up, and then calls him down. It is a story of a man seeking, and a God who has already been seeking him. Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector, in those days tax collectors worked for the Roman occupiers, and most made their fortune by cheating their own people. So, he was rich- but he was also rejected. People probably spat as he walked by. His name ironically means “Pure” but no one would have called him that. And yet, something restless stirred in his heart. Despite his wealth, something was missing: maybe he had heard that Jesus welcomed sinners, ate with outcasts, and spoke of mercy. Maybe he was tired of living behind walls of gold and guilt. So, he climbs a tree. It’s almost childlike, undignified, even. But sometimes the desire to see Jesus makes us do foolish things in the world’s eyes. When the heart is hungry for God, pride no longer matters.
Then comes the turning point, Jesus, surrounded by a crowd, stops and looks up. He doesn’t look down on Zacchaeus in judgment, He looks up to him in compassion. And he calls him by name “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house”. As we reflect these words of Jesus, we understand that:
- Calling him by name Zacchaeus: Jesus knows him personally
- Come down: not just from the tree, but from his old way of life, from pride, from isolation.
- Today: not tomorrow, not someday when he feels worthy, but today is the day of salvation.
- I must stay at your house: this is not a casual visit. Jesus insists it’s part of His mission. He wants to dwell where people need mercy most.
Zacchaeus doesn’t hesitate. He came down quickly and received Him with joy. ‘Joy’ that’s the first fruit of a real encounter with Christ.
Then something beautiful happens: without Jesus demanding it, Zacchaeus stands up and declares: “behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I shall repay it fourfold.” This is a genuine conversion. Zacchaeus doesn’t just feel sorry; he acts. Love becomes justice. Faith becomes charity. Jesus’ mercy comes first; Zacchaeus’ change follows. God’s love is not a reward for good behavior. It’s the power that makes new behavior possible.
So, my dear brothers and sisters, no one is beyond the reach of Christ’s gaze. No past is too dark, no heart too hardened as St. Augustine once said, “there is no saint without a past, and no sinner without a future.” Zacchaeus reminds us: God never gives up on anyone. He searches, he calls, he stays and he transforms. And if you feel small, unseen, or unworthy, remember: Jesus looks up to you, not down on you. He knows your name, and he says “come down, I want to stay with you”. The story of Zacchaeus is really the story of us all. Each of us is invited today to come down from whatever tree we are hiding in and to let Jesus enter our house. Let Him in, into your fears, your failures, your family, your future. And when He does, don’t be surprised if joy floods your heart and your life begins to change. Because when Jesus comes to stay, salvation comes too. Amen.